November 8, 2024 - Issue #134

Happenings at Healy High School

Exploring careers

At the end of October, Pierz Healy High School took a bus load of students on a field trip to EPIC (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. There were about 150 employers that volunteered their time to help students explore careers in all of the career clusters. 

Students experienced hands-on activities to help them learn about each career and get a feel for what a job would be like in that field.

Exploring colleges

This week, around 40 students boarded the bus and headed on a trip to Bemidji State University to learn more about what BSU has to offer our future graduates.

Students were able to walk through the residence hall and sit in a dorm room, look into what a lecture hall looks like, learn about student services offered on campus, see the athletic center, eat all they could eat at "Wally's", the on-campus dining hall, and experience the underground tunnels. A special thanks goes out to our chaperons who attended: Ms. Hurt, Ms. Maleska, Ms. Radunz, and Ms. Essen.

In the kitchen

Students in Ms. Strohmeier's Health and Nutrition classes had our mouths watering this week as the entire building filled with the aroma of their freshly made cinnamon rolls this week. The secret to perfectly cut rolls? Thread!

In the shop

As part of their FFA project requirement, students have created a unique and sustainable way to honor the United States flag. Using discarded planter discs and fence posts—many generously donated by local farmers—Katlyn Gotvald, Isabelle Dulude, and Brady Smude (not pictured) have designed and are building a series of flagpoles that will soon display the stars and stripes in front of the school. Also pictured is Lauren Vandenheuvel, while not in FFA, is helping paint the finished ensembles.

The process was both creative and hands-on: after welding together the posts and discs and drilling and painting the donated materials, each flagpole is carefully assembled, creating a sturdy holder for the American flag. The project’s goal is to have at least a dozen flagpoles in place, with each proudly flying the United States flag in front of Healy during key holidays and observances.

Be sure to watch for the display of flags as it takes shape in the coming weeks, and join us for the Veterans Day program on Monday, November 11, at 9:15 in the MAC.

Students in Ms. Tax's construction classes are nearing the completion of their garden shed project. Working under the tutelage of local expert Bob Loidolt, students are on target to complete the building next week, including electrical, getting it ready for sealed bids this fall.

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Pumpkin science

Ms. Hoheisel's first graders spent the afternoon exploring pumpkins last week, using the seasonal gourd as their subject for hands-on science.

They measured the height of the pumpkins with cubes, the circumference with a string, and counted the lines on each pumpkin. Finally, they dissected the slimy subjects and counted the seeds. We focused on making groups of 10 to get to 100. Who knew pumpkins were so handy at science AND math? 

Fifth graders go geocaching

As part of their Nature Smart unit, fifth graders in Mr. Schmmidtbauer's Metier classes embarked on an exciting geocaching adventure this week. Thanks to a generous donation from the PTO, the students had access to GPS devices that helped guide them as they searched for hidden “caches” around the school grounds.

Through geocaching, students had the chance to apply navigation skills, work as a team, and deepen their appreciation for the outdoors—all while having a blast with their friends. It was a wonderful opportunity for hands-on learning that combined technology with nature. Thank you to our PTO for supporting this experience, and kudos to our 5th graders for their enthusiasm and teamwork!

November 11: Veterans Day Program, 9:15am, MAC

November 14, 15, 17: Honk! The Muscial, PAC

November 22: Early Release Day

November 28 & 29: No School, Thanksgiving Break

Community Education will use the same class registration as the Activities Department starting with fall camps and preschool. Please call if you have any trouble creating your account. Although both activities and community ed will use rSchools, you won't be able to check out a varsity sport and a youth camp simultaneously. User experience will be the same making it easier to navigate but they are two different stores requiring separate log-ins. You can create the accounts with the same user name and password to keep things simple! A link to both stores will be on the Activities page and the Community Ed page.

Lunch payments will still be made with Edutrak.

The next 4-hour class for your auto insurance discount is November 13 at 5:30pm. Call the office to register, 320-468-6458 ext 7. The fee is $24 per person.. If you are over 55, you can take this class and earn 10% off your auto insurance. The 8-hour initial class has been discontinued.

Use the new online program to register today.

Pierz Public Schools #484

newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierzschools.org